April 30, 2014 — Prostitution

We are opening our Caucus doors to Canadians. Each Open Caucus will provide an opportunity to learn, discuss and debate issues of national importance.

Our 3rd Open Caucus was on prostitution.

This is a hotly debated topic since the Supreme Court struck down laws prohibiting brothels, living on the avails of prostitution and communicating in public with clients. In the unanimous decision, Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin wrote that “Parliament has the power to regulate against nuisances, but not at the cost of the health, safety and lives of prostitutes.” Parliament has been given one year to come up with new legislation to deal with these concerns.

Speakers from different perspectives presented on where Canada should go from here. We had a good debate about this important issue.

Speakers included:

Richard Poulin, Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Ottawa

Kim Pate, Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies

Christine Bruckert, Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Criminology, University of Ottawa